Overingston defeats Rose again for delegate's seat

November 08, 2000

Overingston defeats Rose again for delegate's seat

By BOB PARTLOW / Staff Writer, Martinsburg

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Del. John Overington, R-Berkeley, easily defeated his Democratic challenger Laura Rose for the fourth time in a row to win a ninth term as state delegate representing the 54th District, according to unofficial final totals Wednesday.

Overington beat Rose 4,093 to 2,661 in final but unofficial results of Tuesday's balloting.

Overington, 54, is a full-time legislator who has served for 16 years. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

He previously discussed a long list of issues, ranging from decreasing taxes to allowing initiatives and referendums in the state.

He said he wanted to represent the "conservative views" he believes his constituents hold.

Rose, 42, a Martinsburg lawyer, said her fourth try to unseat Overington would be her last.

"I'm a little puzzled (at the loss) because people tell me that they don't like the fact their representative in Charleston seems to be getting nothing done," she said.

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She compared Overington to "a pair of comfortable old slippers" that are too much trouble to replace. Because Overington hasn't done anything bad, people are not inclined to vote him out of office, she said.

Overington is in a small minority in the House, which was controlled 75-25 by the Democrats before Tuesday's election and will be controlled by the same margin when it convenes early next year.